Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is estimated to affect 2% of the general U.S. population and chronic pain is a common comorbidity among persons with HCV. The primary purpose of this study was to compare health service utilization of U.S. military veterans with HCV with and without the presence of comorbid chronic pain. ⋯ Patients with HCV and chronic pain utilize medical services to a greater extent than patients with HCV but no chronic pain. Future studies that examine the efficacy of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain treatment for patients with comorbid HCV and chronic pain appear warranted.
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To describe the value and utility in using a contralateral oblique (CLO) view when performing cervical, thoracic, and lumbar interlaminar procedures including epidural steroid injections and spinal cord stimulation percutaneous lead placement. ⋯ We recommend that the CLO view for thoracic and lumbar interlaminar procedures, in addition to cervical cases. Thus, when confirming proper needle placement for interlaminar procedures, the CLO view combined with anterior-posterior view yields safe multi-planar imaging and should be considered when a lateral view is unable to demonstrate target landmarks clearly.
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The objective of this study was to review the epigenetic modifications involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain and to identify potential targets for the development of novel, individualized pain therapeutics. ⋯ Epigenetic analysis may identify mechanisms critical to the development of chronic pain after injury, and may provide new pathways and target mechanisms for future drug development and individualized medicine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of a Spanish virtual pain coach for older adults: a pilot study.
To pilot test the effects of a virtual pain coach on ambulatory Spanish-speaking older adults with pain from osteoarthritis. ⋯ Preliminary data indicate that the Spanish virtual pain coach might assist Spanish-speaking older adults to talk with their practitioner about their osteoarthritis pain and obtain opioid treatment changes, but that pain and depressive symptoms continue unchanged 1 month later. Additional refinement and testing is required for the Spanish-speaking virtual pain coach to determine acceptability and outcomes for assisting Spanish-speaking older adults to communicate about their pain with their primary care practitioner.